Fastening structure for thermal module

ABSTRACT

A fastening structure is provided for fastening a thermal module to a mainboard, and includes a main body having at least one elastic press portion, a fastening portion, and an insertion unit. The fastening portion is provided on an end of the main body and the insertion unit is outward extended from another opposite end of the main body. The elastic press portion is provided on the main body and located between the insertion unit and the fastening portion, and a flexible space is defined between the elastic press portion and the main body. With these arrangements, the fastening structure can be quickly assembled to the thermal module without the need of welding and can therefore be conveniently separated therefrom whenever reworking is necessary.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fastening structure for thermalmodule, and more particularly to a fastening structure that can bequickly assembled to a thermal module for fastening the latter to amainboard and can also be conveniently separated from the thermal modulewhenever reworking is necessary.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Thanks to the progress in various technological fields, 3C products(Communication, Consumer electronics, and Computer products) have beenconstantly improved. For instance, the currently available computersystems now have quicker and quicker computing speed, and the centralprocessing unit (CPU) or the microprocessor of a computer systemperforming the major computing function thereof has more powerfulprocessing capability. However, the size of the CPU or microprocessorfor the computer system does not increase along with the enhancedability thereof, but is even reduced in some cases. That is, the densityof the integrated circuits provided on the CPU or the microprocessor isobviously increased. Thus, heat produced by the CPU or themicroprocessor during operation thereof also largely increases toadversely raise the surface temperature of the CPU or the microprocessoreven to a level higher than 100° C.

To prevent the CPU or the microprocessor from being damaged or causingburnout of nearby elements due to the high temperature thereof, it isnecessary to have some mechanism for timely removing the produced heatfrom the CPU or the microprocessor. Generally, such heat removingmechanism includes a thermal module having a base attached to a surfaceof a heat-producing element, such as the CPU, the microprocessor, agraphics chip, or a south and a north bridge chip, for absorbing theproduced heat; and a heat pipe transferring the heat from the base to aplurality of radiating fins, which is extended through by the heat pipe,so that the produced heat is finally radiated from the radiating finsinto ambient air. For the thermal module to stably mount to a mainboardof the computer system, a fastening device is usually needed to connectto the radiating fins extended through by the heat pipe, and a fasteningelement, such as a screw, is then downward extended through thefastening device to screw into the mainboard.

FIGS. 1A and 1B as well as FIGS. 1C and 1D showing a first and a secondconventional manner, respectively, for fastening a thermal module to amainboard. The thermal module includes a base 10, a heat pipe 11, aplurality of radiating fins 12, and a fastening device. The heat pipe 11has an end attached to one side of the base 10, and another side of thebase 10 is in contact with a heat-producing element, such as a CPU, amicroprocessor, a graphics chip, a south bridge chip or a north bridgechip (not shown). Another end of the heat pipe 11 is extended throughthe radiating fins 12. The radiating fins 12 has a recess 121 formed onone side facing toward the fastening device 13 for receiving thefastening device 13 therein.

The fastening device 13 is made of a metal material, such as iron orcopper, and has an end welded to a predetermined position on theradiating fins 12, so that a weld layer 15 is formed between one end ofthe fastening device 13 and the radiating fins 12 to permanently connectthe fastening device 13 to the radiating fins 12. Another opposite endof the fastening device 13 is provided with a fastening hole 131, viawhich a fastening element 17 is downward extended to screw into amainboard (not shown), so that the radiating fins 12 are firmly attachedto the mainboard via the fastening device 13.

While the fastening device 13 enables fixed connection of the radiatingfins 12 to the mainboard, the radiating fins 12 and the fastening device13 welded thereto could not be separated from one another for reworkingunless the weld layer 15 is completely removed from between theradiating fins 12 and the fastening device 13. However, when trying toremove the weld layer 15, it is almost inevitable to cause damages tothe fastening device 13 and/or the radiating fins 12.

Further, when using the fastening device 13 to fasten the radiating fins12 to the mainboard, the fastening device 13 is fixedly connected to theradiating fins 12 via the weld layer 15 and could not be freely adjustedto different positions to adapt to different designs. As a result, theconventional fastening device 13 has low applicability and isinconvenient for use and must be produced in different dimensions tomatch different design requirements, which inevitably increases theoverall cost for mounting the thermal module to the mainboard.

In brief, the conventional fastening device for thermal module has thefollowing disadvantages: (1) not allowing easy reworking; (2) increasingthe cost for mounting the thermal module; and (3) not convenient foruse.

It is therefore tried by the inventor to develop an improved fasteningstructure for thermal module, so as to eliminate the above drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a fasteningstructure that can be quickly assembled to a thermal module forfastening the same to a mainboard and can also be conveniently separatedfrom the thermal module whenever reworking is necessary.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fasteningstructure for thermal module that provides high convenience andflexibility in use and reduces the cost needed for assembling it to thethermal module.

To achieve the above and other objects, the fastening structure forthermal module according to an embodiment of the present inventionincludes a main body having at least one elastic press portion, afastening portion, and an insertion unit. The fastening portion isprovided on an end of the main body, and the insertion unit is outwardextended from another opposite end of the main body. The elastic pressportion is provided on the main body and located between the insertionunit and the fastening portion, and a flexible space is defined betweenthe elastic press portion and the main body. With the abovearrangements, the fastening structure can be stably and firmly assembledto the thermal module for fastening the latter to a mainboard or bequickly separated from the thermal module for easy reworking, andtherefore provides high convenience and flexibility in use and save thecost for welding it to the thermal module.

To achieve the above and other objects, the fastening structure forthermal module according to another embodiment of the present inventionincludes a main body having at least one elastic press portion, afastening portion, and an insertion unit. The fastening portion isprovided on an end of the main body, and the insertion unit is outwardextended from another opposite end or from two opposite lateral sides ofthe main body. The elastic press portion is connected to the end of themain body having the fastening portion provided thereon, and a flexiblespace is defined between the elastic press portion and the main body.With the above arrangements, the fastening structure can be stably andfirmly assembled to the thermal module for fastening the latter to amainboard or be quickly separated from the thermal module for easyreworking, and therefore provides high convenience and flexibility inuse and save the cost for welding it to the thermal module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure and the technical means adopted by the present inventionto achieve the above and other objects can be best understood byreferring to the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view showing a first conventionalmanner for fastening a thermal module to a mainboard;

FIG. 1B is an assembled view of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is an exploded perspective view showing a second conventionalmanner for fastening a thermal module to a mainboard;

FIG. 1D is an assembled view of FIG. 1C;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fastening structure for thermal moduleaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are assembled and exploded perspective views,respectively, of a fastening structure for thermal module according to asecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of afastening structure for thermal module according to a third embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are assembled and exploded perspective views,respectively, of a fastening structure for thermal module according to afourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fastening structure for thermal moduleaccording to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are assembled and exploded perspective views,respectively, of a fastening structure for thermal module according to asixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of afastening structure for thermal module according to a seventh embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are assembled and exploded perspective views,respectively, of a fastening structure for thermal module according toan eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are front and rear perspective views, respectively, ofa fastening structure for thermal module according to a ninth embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are assembled and exploded perspective views,respectively, of a fastening structure for thermal module according to atenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are front and rear perspective views, respectively, ofa fastening structure for thermal module according to an eleventhembodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 13A and 13B are assembled and exploded perspective views,respectively, of a fastening structure for thermal module according to atwelfth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described with some preferredembodiments thereof and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Forthe purpose of easy to understand, elements that are the same in thepreferred embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Please refer to FIG. 2 that is a perspective view of a fasteningstructure for thermal module according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown, in the first embodiment, the fasteningstructure includes a main body 2, which has at least one elastic pressportion 21, a fastening portion 22, an insertion unit 24, a first bodysection 201, and a second body section 202 radially extended from an endof the first body section 201. The fastening portion 22 is located at anend of the main body 2. More specifically, the fastening portion 22 is ahole formed on the first body section 201 and penetrating the same in athickness direction thereof for a fastening element 5, such as a screwshown in FIG. 3A, to downward extend therethrough and screw into amainboard (not shown).

The insertion unit 24 is extended from another end of the main body 2opposite to the end with the fastening portion 22, and includes at leastone first insertion section 241 and at least one second insertionsection 242, and at least one stop section 243. The first and the secondinsertion section 241, 242 are projected from the other end of the mainbody 2, that is, an end of the second body section 202 facing away fromthe first body section 201, and have a space 244 defined between them.The stop sections 243 are separately protruded from two opposite lateralsides of the second body section 202.

The elastic press portion 21 is formed on the main body 2 between theinsertion unit 24 and the fastening portion 22. The elastic pressportion 21 includes at least one elastic press arm 211 and at least oneopening 213. In the illustrated first embodiment, the elastic press arms211 are provided on one side of the second body section 202 to face eachother. The openings 213 are respectively located between one elasticpress arm 211 and one corresponding lateral side of the second bodysection 202 to penetrate the second body section 202 in a thicknessdirection thereof, so that a user may conveniently apply forces on theelastic press arms 211.

As shown in FIG. 2, a flexible space 25 is defined between the elasticpress portion 21 and the main body 2, so that the facing elastic pressarms 211 on the second body section 202 are movable in the flexiblespace 25. In the flexible space 25, an axial long slot 251 is furtherformed on the second body section 202 between the facing elastic pressarms 211 to penetrate the second body section 202 in the thicknessdirection thereof. The long slot 251 provides an elastically deformablespace for the first and second insertion sections 241, 242 when they arecompressed toward each other, and the long slot 251 communicates withthe flexible space 25 and the space 244.

When the first and second insertion sections 241, 242 or the elasticpress arms 211 are subjected to two inward push forces to move toward acentral area of the flexible space 25, the first and the secondinsertion section 241, 242 are caused to elastically deform and shifttoward a central area of the space 244, bringing the second body section202 to elastically deform and move toward a central area of the longslot 251 at the same time. On the other hand, when the applied inwardpush forces are removed, the first and the second insertion 241, 242 orthe elastic press arms 211 would simultaneously spring back to anoriginal state free of any pressure. With the above design, thefastening structure of the present invention can be stably and firmlyconnected to a thermal module, and can also be easily separated from thethermal module whenever reworking is necessary. Therefore, the fasteningstructure enables high convenience and flexibility in use as well asreduced cost.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are assembled and exploded perspective views,respectively, of a fastening structure for thermal module according to asecond embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIGS. 3A and3B along with FIG. 2. The second embodiment is generally structurallysimilar to the first embodiment, except that, in the second embodiment,the main body 2 is assembled to a thermal module 3, which includes aheat radiating unit 31 and a heat transfer unit 32. The heat transferunit 32 is in the form of a heat pipe having an end extended through aplurality of radiating fins 311 of the heat radiating unit 31 andanother opposite end attached to one side of a base 4. The base 4 hasanother opposite side in contact with a heat-producing element (notshown), such as a CPU, a graphics chip, a south bridge chip, a northbridge chip or an executing unit, so as to absorb heat produced by theheat-producing element.

The heat radiating unit 31 can be a radiating fin assembly or a heatsink, and has a plurality of radiating fins 311. At least one recess 313is formed on one side of the radiating fins 311 facing toward the mainbody 2 and the main body 2 is fixedly received in the recess 313. Withthe first and second insertion sections 241, 242 of the main body 2inserted into an insertion hole 3131 in the recess 313 and the stopsections 243 sidewardly extended from the recess 313 into a passage (notshown) defined between two adjacent radiating fins 311, the main body 2is quickly assembled to the heat radiating unit 31.

In the event it is necessary to rework, simply push the elastic pressarms 211 toward the central area of the flexible space 25 at the sametime, and the first and second insertion sections 241, 242 as well asthe second body section 202 will elastically deform and move toward thecentral area of the space 244 and of the long slot 251, respectively.Meanwhile, the stop sections 243 will also move along with the secondbody section 202 to thereby separate from the passage defined betweentwo adjacent radiating fins 311. At this point, the main body 2 can bequickly detached from the recess 313 on the radiating fins 311 withoutcausing damage to the main body 2 and the heat radiating unit 31.Therefore, the fastening structure for thermal module according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention provides high convenience andflexibility in use and enables easy reworking when necessary.

Further, since the main body 2 of the fastening structure is connectedto the heat radiating unit 31 without using any soldering material, costfor welding can be saved.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of afastening structure for thermal module according to a third embodimentof the present invention. As shown, the fastening structure according tothe third embodiment is generally structurally similar to the firstembodiment, except that, in the third embodiment, the first and thesecond insertion section 241, 242 of the insertion unit 24 are projectedfrom two opposite lateral sides of the main body 2. That is, in thethird embodiment, the first and the second insertion section 241, 242 ofthe insertion unit 24 are separately projected from two opposite lateralsides of the second body section 202, such that a receiving space 245 isdefined below the main body 2 between the first and the second insertionsection 241, 242 to communicate with the long slot 251.

Further, in the third embodiment, the stop sections 243 of the insertionunit 24 are located on the first and second insertion sections 241, 242.That is, as can be seen in FIG. 4B, the stop sections 243 are separatelyprojected from the first and the second insertion section 241, 242toward a central area of the receiving space 245.

When the facing elastic press arms 211 are subjected to two outward pushforces to shift away from the flexible space 25, the first and thesecond insertion section 241, 242 are brought to elastically deform andshift away from the receiving space 245. Meanwhile, the second bodysection 202 will also elastically deform to move away from the long slot251.

On the other hand, when the applied outward push forces are removed, thefacing elastic press arms 211 and the first and second insertionsections 241, 242 would simultaneously spring back to a state free ofany pressure. With the above design, the fastening structure of thepresent invention can provide high convenience and flexibility in useand enable easy reworking when necessary.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are assembled and exploded perspective views,respectively, of a fastening structure for thermal module according to afourth embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIGS. 5A and5B along with FIGS. 4A and 4B. The main body 2 in the fourth embodimentis generally structurally similar to the main body 2 in the thirdembodiment, except that, in the fourth embodiment, the main body 2 isassembled to a thermal module 3.

The thermal module 3 in the fourth embodiment is generally structurallysimilar to the thermal module 3 in the second embodiment, except that ithas two recesses 313 separately formed on two opposite lateral sides ofthe radiating fins 311 for the first and the second insertion section241, 242 to insert thereinto. With the first and the second insertionsection 241, 242 inserted into the two recesses 313 and the two stopsections 243 inwardly extended into one passage (not shown) definedbetween two adjacent radiating fins 311, the main body 2 of thefastening structure can be quickly assembled to the heat radiating unit31 of the thermal module 3.

In the event it is necessary to rework, simply push the elastic pressarms 211 away from the flexible space 25, and the first and secondinsertion sections 241, 242 as well as the second body section 202 willelastically deform and move away from the receiving space 245 and thelong slot 251, respectively. Meanwhile, the stop sections 243 will alsomove along with the first and second insertion sections 241, 242 tothereby separate from the passage between two adjacent radiating fins311. At this point, the main body 2 can be quickly slid out of therecesses 313 to detach or separate from the radiating fins 311.Therefore, the fastening structure can be quickly separated from thethermal module without causing damage to the main body 2 and theradiating fins 311 to provide high convenience and flexibility in useand enable easy reworking when necessary.

Further, since the main body 2 is connected to the heat radiating unit31 without using any soldering material, the cost for welding is saved.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fastening structure for thermal moduleaccording to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown, thefastening structure according to the fifth embodiment is generallystructurally similar to the first embodiment, except that, in the fifthembodiment, the main body 2 further includes a third body section 203extended between and connected at two ends to the first and the secondsection 201, 202, such that the second body section 202 is located at ahigher position relative to the first body section 201.

In practical implementation of the fifth embodiment, the third bodysection 203 may have an axially extended length and a width designedaccording to a height requirement of the thermal module 3 to which themain body 2 is to be assembled, as shown in FIG. 7A, so as to morefirmly and stably fasten the thermal module 3 to the mainboard.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are assembled and exploded perspective views,respectively, of a fastening structure for thermal module according to asixth embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIGS. 7A and7B along with FIG. 6. The main body 2 in the sixth embodiment isgenerally structurally similar to the main body 2 in the fifthembodiment, except that it is assembled to a thermal module 3.

The thermal module 3 in the sixth embodiment is generally structurallysimilar to the thermal module 3 in the second embodiment, except that,in the sixth embodiment, the third body section 203 is tightly attachedto a lateral side of the radiating fins 311, so that the radiating fins311 is more stably fastened to the mainboard.

In the present invention, with the fastening structure and the thermalmodule 3 connected to each other to form an integral unit in the abovemanner, the main body 2 can be quickly detached from the thermal module3 without causing damage to the main body 2 and the radiating fins 311.Therefore, the present invention provides high convenience andflexibility in use and enables easy reworking when necessary.

Further, since the main body 2 is connected to the radiating fins 311without using any soldering material, the cost for welding can be saved.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of afastening structure for thermal module according to a seventh embodimentof the present invention. As shown, the seventh embodiment is generallystructurally similar to the first embodiment, except that the elasticpress portion 21 includes one single elastic press arm 211, at least oneopening 213, and a plurality of raised portions 215; and that theinsertion unit 24 includes only a first insertion section 241. Theopening 213 is formed on one side of the second body section 202 topenetrate the same in a thickness direction thereof, and communicateswith the flexible space 25. The elastic press arm 211 is movably locatedwithin the opening 213. The raised portions 215 are formed on an end ofthe elastic press arm 211 to face toward the first body section 201.

The elastic press portion 21 in the seventh embodiment further includesat least one retainer 217, which is formed below another end of theelastic press arm 211 opposite to the raised portions 215 and is locatedadjacent to the insertion unit 24.

The insertion unit 24 in the seventh embodiment is generallystructurally similar to that in the first embodiment, except that itomits the second insertion section 242, the space 244 and the stopsections 243 therefrom and includes only the first insertion section241, which is outward projected from the end of the second body section202 opposite to the first body section 101.

When the raised portions 215 on the elastic press arm 211 are pushedtoward the opening 213 into the flexible space 25, another end of theelastic press arm 211 without the raised portions 215 is brought toelastically deform and move outward away from the opening 213. On theother hand, when the applied force is removed, the other end of theelastic press arm 211 will automatically spring back to an originalstate free of any pressure. That is, the end of the elastic press arm211 without the raised portions 215 will move back into the opening 213.With the above arrangements, the fastening structure of the presentinvention can provide high convenience and flexibility in use and enableeasy reworking when necessary.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are assembled and exploded perspective views,respectively, of a fastening structure for thermal module according toan eighth embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIGS. 9Aand 9B along with FIGS. 8A and 8B. The main body 2 in the eighthembodiment is generally structurally similar to the main body 2 in theseventh embodiment, except that it is assembled to a thermal module 3.

As shown, since the thermal module 3 in the eighth embodiment isgenerally structurally similar to the thermal module 3 in the secondembodiment, it is not described in details herein.

In the event it is necessary to rework, simply push the raised portions215 on the elastic press arm 211 toward the opening 213 into theflexible space 25, and the other end of the elastic press arm 211without the raised portions 215 will elastically deform and upwardlymove away from the opening 213. Meanwhile, the retainer 217 moves upwardalong with the elastic press arm 211 to separate from the passagedefined between two adjacent radiating fins 311 in the recess 313, andthe main body 2 can be quickly detached from the recess 313 on theradiating fins 311 without causing damage to the main body 2 and theradiating fins 311. Therefore, the present invention provides highconvenience and flexibility in use and enables easy reworking whennecessary.

Further, since the main body is connected to the heat radiating unit 31without using any soldering material, so that the cost for welding issaved.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are front and rear perspective views, respectively, ofa fastening structure for thermal module according to a ninth embodimentof the present invention. As shown, the ninth embodiment is generallystructurally similar to the seventh embodiment, except that, in theninth embodiment, the main body 2 further includes a third body section203 extended between and connected at two opposite ends to the secondbody section 202 and the insertion unit 24, such that the third bodysection 203 is located at a higher position relative to the first bodysection 201; and that the insertion unit 24 further includes a secondinsertion section 242.

In practical implementation of the ninth embodiment, the third bodysection 203 may have an axially extended length and a width designedaccording to a height requirement of the thermal module 3 to which themain body 2 is to be assembled, as shown in FIG. 11A, so as to morefirmly and stably fasten the thermal module 3 to the mainboard.

In the ninth embodiment, the insertion unit 24 further includes a secondinsertion section 242, which is located on another side of the secondbody section 202, such that the first and the second insertion section241, 242 together define a receiving space 245 between them. In theninth embodiment, the first insertion section 241 is substantiallyL-shaped but not necessarily limited thereto.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are assembled and exploded perspective views,respectively, of a fastening structure for thermal module according to atenth embodiment of the present invention. The main body 2 in the tenthembodiment is generally structurally similar to the main body 2 in theninth embodiment, except that it is assembled to a thermal module 3.

Further, since the thermal module 3 in the tenth embodiment is generallystructurally similar to the thermal module 3 in the fourth embodiment,it is not described in details herein. In the present invention, withthe first and the second insertion section 241, 242 on the main body 2inserted into corresponding recesses 313 and the retainer 217 inwardlyextending into one passage (not shown) defined between two adjacentradiating fins 311, the main body 2 can be quickly assembled to theradiating fins 311 of the thermal module 3.

In the event it is necessary to rework, simply push the raised portions215 on the second body section 211 toward the opening 213 into theflexible space 25, and the other end of the elastic press arm 211without the raised portions 215 will elastically deform and upwardlymove away from the opening 213. Meanwhile, the retainer 217 will moveupward along with the elastic press arm 211 to separate from the passagedefined between two adjacent radiating fins 311 in the recess 313, andthe main body 2 can be quickly slid out of the recesses 313 and detachedfrom the radiating fins 311 without causing damage to the main body 2and the radiating fins 311. Therefore, the present invention provideshigh convenience and flexibility in use and enables easy reworking whennecessary.

Again, since the main body 2 of the fastening structure is connected tothe heat radiating unit 31 without using any soldering material, thecost for welding is saved.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are front and rear perspective views, respectively, ofa fastening structure for thermal module according to an eleventhembodiment of the present invention. As shown, in the eleventhembodiment, the fastening structure includes a main body 2, which has atleast one elastic press portion 21, a fastening portion 22, an insertionunit 24, a first body section 201, a second body section 202, and athird body section 203. The fastening portion 22 is located at an end ofthe main body 2. More specifically, the fastening portion 22 is a holeformed on the first body section 201 and extended through the same in athickness direction thereof for a fastening element 5, such as a screwshown in FIG. 13A, to extend therethrough and screw into a mainboard(not shown).

The second body section 202 is axially extended from another end of thefirst body section 201 to connect to the third body section 203, suchthat the third body section 203 is located at a higher position relativeto the first body section 201. And, the insertion unit 24 is projectedfrom an end of the third body section 203 farther from the second bodysection 202. In practical implementation of the eleventh embodiment ofthe present invention, the second body section 202 and the third bodysection 203 may respectively have an extended length and a widthdesigned according to a height requirement of a thermal module 3, towhich the main body 2 is to be assembled, so as to more firmly andstably fasten the thermal module 3 to the mainboard.

The insertion unit 24 is outward extended from another end of the mainbody 2, and includes a first insertion section 241 and a secondinsertion section 242. The first insertion section 241 is outwardprojected from the end of the third body section 203 farther from thesecond body section 202, i.e. the other end of the main body 2. Thesecond insertion section 242 is arranged on one side of the second bodysection 202 facing away from the flexible space 25.

As can be seen in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the elastic press portion 21 in theeleventh embodiment is connected to an end of the main body 2, andincludes an elastic press arm 211 and a plurality of raised portions215. The elastic press arm 211 is axially extended from an end of thefirst body section 201, and the raised portions 215 are formed on oneside of the elastic press arm 211 facing away from the flexible space25.

The flexible space 25 is defined between the elastic press portion 21and the main body 2 for the elastic press arm 211 to move therein. Whenthe raised portions 215 on the elastic press arm 211 are subjected to aforce in a direction toward the flexible space 25 and the second bodysection 202, the second insertion section 242 is caused to elasticallydeform and move in a direction farther away from the first insertionsection 241. Meanwhile, the first and the second body section 201, 202are also brought to elastically deform.

The second insertion section 242 and the first and the second bodysection 201, 202 automatically spring back to an original state free ofany pressure when the force is removed from the raised portions 215 onthe elastic press arm 211,. With the above arrangements, the fasteningstructure for thermal module according to the eleventh embodiment of thepresent invention also provides high convenience and flexibility in useand enables easy reworking when necessary.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are assembled and exploded perspective views,respectively, of a fastening structure for thermal module according to atwelfth embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIGS. 13Aand 13B along with FIGS. 12A and 12B. The main body 2 in the twelfthembodiment is generally structurally similar to the main body 2 in theeleventh embodiment, except that it is assembled to a thermal module 3.

The thermal module 3 in the twelfth embodiment is generally structurallysimilar to the thermal module 2 in the second embodiment, and istherefore not described in details herein. In the twelfth embodiment,the second and the third body section 202, 203 are tightly attached totwo sides of the radiating fins 311, so that the radiating fins 311 canbe more stably fastened to the mainboard.

In the event it is necessary to rework, simply push the raised portions215 on the elastic press arm 211 toward the flexible space 25 and thesecond body section 202, and the first and the second body section 201,202 will elastically deform and outwardly shift away from the radiatingfins 311. At this point, the second insertion section 242 also movesoutward along with the second body section 202 to separate from thepassage defined between two adjacent radiating fins 311, and the mainbody 2 can be quickly detached from the recess 313 on the radiating fins311 without causing damage to the main body 2 and the radiating fins311. Therefore, the fastening structure for thermal module according tothe twelfth embodiment of the present invention also provides highconvenience and flexibility in use and enables easy reworking whennecessary.

Since the main body 2 of the fastening structure is connected to theradiating fins 311 without using any soldering material, the cost forwelding is saved.

In summary, the fastening structure for thermal module according to thepresent invention is superior to the prior art due to the followingadvantages: (1) allowing easy reworking; (2) providing high convenienceand flexibility in use; and (3) reducing the cost for assembling themain body to the thermal module.

The present invention has been described with some preferred embodimentsthereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in thedescribed embodiments can be carried out without departing from thescope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limitedonly by the appended claims.

1-22. (canceled)
 23. A fastening structure for thermal module,comprising a main body having at least one elastic press portion, afastening portion, and an insertion unit; the fastening portion beinglocated at an end of the main body; the insertion unit being outwardextended from another end of the main body; the elastic press portionbeing connected to the end of the main body having the fastening portionformed thereat; and a flexible space being defined between the elasticpress portion and the main body.
 24. The fastening structure as claimedin claim 23, wherein the main body includes a first body section, asecond body section, and a third body section; the fastening portionbeing formed on the first body section and penetrating the same in athickness direction thereof; the elastic press portion being axiallyextended from an end of the first body section; the second body sectionbeing axially extended from another opposite end of the first bodysection to connect to the third body section; the third body sectionbeing located at a higher position relative to the first body section;and the insertion unit being projected from an end of the third bodysection farther from the second body section.
 25. The fasteningstructure as claimed in claim 24, wherein the insertion unit includes afirst insertion section and a second insertion section; the firstinsertion section being outward projected from an end of the third bodysection farther from the second body section; and the second insertionsection being arranged on one side of the second body section facingaway from the flexible space.
 26. The fastening structure as claimed inclaim 24, wherein the elastic press portion includes an elastic pressarm and a plurality of raised portions; the elastic press arm beingmovable in the flexible space; and the raised portions being formed onone side of the elastic press arm facing away from the flexible space.27. The fastening structure as claimed in claim 23, wherein thefastening portion is a hole, via which a fastening element is extendedto screw into a mainboard.
 28. The fastening structure as claimed inclaim 23, wherein the main body is assembled to a thermal module, whichincludes a heat radiating unit and a heat transfer unit, and the heattransfer unit having an end extended through the heat radiating unit andanother opposite end attached to a base.
 29. The fastening structure asclaimed in claim 28, wherein the heat radiating unit is a radiating finassembly or a heat sink, and the heat transfer unit is a heat pipe. 30.The fastening structure as claimed in claim 28, wherein the heatradiating unit includes a plurality of radiating fins and at least onerecess formed on one side of the radiating fins facing toward the mainbody for the main body to insert into and be held to the recess; andwherein the heat transfer unit is a heat pipe having an end attached toone side of the base and another opposite end extended through theradiating fins.